COENZYME-Q DEPLETION IN RAT PLASMA AFTER PARTIAL-HEPATECTOMY

Coenzyme Q content was monitored in blood plasma and regenerating live r mitochondria of hepatectomized rats, using as controls either sham-o perated or non-operated animals. Mitochondrial CoQ(9) content increase d in sham-operated rats, whilst it was significantly lower in hepatect omized in comparison with non-operated animals at all considered times . On the other hand plasma CoQ(9) levels dramatically decreased in hep atectomized animals, while strongly increased in sham-operated in comp arison with non-operated rats. The quinone decrease in hepatectomized animals is likely to be due to the attainment of a rate-limiting step in CoQ biosynthesis.